Tachycardia

What is tachycardia?

Tachycardia is a condition in which the heart muscle contracts more than 100 times in one minute.

The heart normally beats at a rate of 60 to 100 times per minute, and the pulse felt at the wrist, neck, or elsewhere corresponds to the contractions of the heart chambers.< /p>

Rapid heart rate can be a result of the body’s normal response to anxiety, increased body temperature, sudden blood loss or strenuous exercise.

It is possible that the rapid heart rate is caused by some diseases or other clinical conditions, for example due to abnormally high levels of thyroid hormones. This disease is called hyperthyroidism.

In some, the condition may be due to heart arrhythmia, lung diseases such as pneumonia or a blood clot in one of the arteries of the lungs.

In other cases, tachycardia may be due to a side effect of the consumption of certain foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, alcohol or of taking certain medications.

What are the symptoms of tachycardia?

• Dizziness, lightheadedness and even fainting;
• Fatigue – feeling overworked weakness;
• Palpitations – rapid heartbeat;
• Shortness of breath.

If the cause is some disease, the symptoms that are characteristic of the specific disease will also appear. For example, when the cause is hyperthyroidism, those affected may be nervous, suffer from insomnia.

This disease is also characterized by frequent sweating, tremors and other symptoms that are associated with the increased secretion of thyroid hormones.

Tachycardia caused by heart or lung disease is often accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness.

Tachycardia treatment

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. For example:

• Elevated body temperature – rapid heart rate is treated with antipyretics such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. If the temperature is elevated due to a bacterial infection, antibiotics may need to be prescribed.
• Blood loss – the patient is first stabilized with intravenous fluids or a blood transfusion. The source of the bleeding is then found and sutured or corrected surgically.
• Base disease or hyperthyroidism can be treated with antithyroid medications such as metamizole. An alternative way of treatment is with radioactive iodine 131, which destroys the thyroid gland with its beta radiation. Another way is to surgically remove most of the gland. The procedure is called a subtotal thyroidectomy, and the patient is then put on hormone replacement therapy for the rest of their life.
• Cardiac arrhythmias – treatment again depends on the cause of the arrhythmia. In some people, massaging the external carotid artery is enough to normalize the heart rate. In other cases, medication such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers or amiodarone is necessary. Some patients respond only to radiofrequency catheter ablation, a procedure that removes part of the damaged heart tissue, the myocardium, that causes tachycardia. In other cases, electrical cardioversion is used – a procedure in which an electric shock is given to restore the normal heart rhythm.
• Lung disease – for a blood clot, the usual drugs are used to dissolving the thrombus and preventing the formation of new clots such as warfarin.

How to protect yourself from tachycardia?

Tachycardia, which is characterized by a rapid heartbeat, can can be caused by various factors and diseases, but we can certainly take steps to prevent and manage this condition.

1. Healthy lifestyle: To prevent tachycardia and keep our heart rhythm normal, it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle. This includes regular exercise, a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy body weight and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

2. Stress Management: Stress can be a big factor in causing tachycardia. Learn to manage stress using relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation and deep breathing. These kinds of practices can help keep your heart rate steady.

3. Maintaining a healthy blood pressure: High blood pressure can contribute to the development of tachycardia. Monitor your blood pressure regularly and follow your doctor’s recommendations to maintain healthy values.

4. Avoidance of stimulants: Coffee, nicotine and some drugs can cause an increase in heart rate. Limit or avoid consumption of such stimulants, especially if you are already prone to tachycardia.

5. Treatment of underlying causes: If you have an underlying condition, such as kidney disease or hyperthyroidism, that is causing tachycardia, it is important to follow the treatment prescribed by your doctor. Appropriate treatment of the underlying cause can help prevent tachycardia.

6. Regular consultations with a doctor: If you are prone to tachycardia or have heart problems in your family, regular consultations with a cardiologist are essential. Your doctor will be able to provide advice and treatment if necessary.

7. Prophylactic medications: In some cases, when the tachycardia is chronic or difficult to control, your doctor may suggest taking specific medications to maintain a normal heart rhythm.< /p>

8. Emergency measures: If you have experienced episodes of tachycardia, learn how to act in such situations. Explore self-help methods, such as vagal maneuvers or sinus node massage, which may help with some types of tachycardia.